Supporting apparatus for vending machine

ABSTRACT

A supporting apparatus includes a mounting member, a mounting post secured to the mounting member, an actuating member secured to the mounting post, a supporting post rotatably secured to the mounting post and engaged with the actuating member, and a latch member. The supporting post is rotatable relative to the mounting post between a receiving position and a supporting position. When the supporting post is located on the receiving position, the supporting post is engaged with the latch member. When the supporting post is located on the supporting position, the supporting post is disengaged from the latch member. The actuating member biases the supporting post to rotate from the first to the supporting position.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to supporting apparatuses, and particularly to a supporting apparatus for a vending machine.

2. Description of Related Art

Vending machines are becoming more and more popular in today's busy on-the-go society. The vending machine usually includes a cabinet for receiving goods and a door for cover the cabinet. The cover is rotatably secured to the cabinet by three hinges. The vending machine is constantly restocked to add new goods so that the door is open and closed often. After repeatedly opening and closing the door, the hinges may be damaged because the weight of the cover is very heavy.

Therefore, there is room for improvement within the art.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Many aspects of the embodiments can be better understood with references to the following drawings. The components in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale, the emphasis instead being placed upon clearly illustrating the principles of the embodiments. Moreover, in the drawings, like reference numerals designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of an embodiment of a supporting apparatus and a vending machine.

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of the circled portion II of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of a supporting mechanism of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is an assembled view of the supporting mechanism of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, taken along the line V-V.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 4, taken along the line VI-VI.

FIG. 7 is an assembled view of FIG. 1, but with the door open.

FIG. 8 is similar to FIG. 7, but with the door closed.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 8, taken along the line IX-IX.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure is illustrated by way of example and not by way of limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like references indicate similar elements. It should be noted that references to “an” or “one” embodiment in this disclosure are not necessarily to the same embodiment, and such references mean at least one.

FIGS. 1-2 show a supporting apparatus in accordance with an embodiment configured to support a door 11 of a vending machine 10. The supporting apparatus includes a supporting mechanism 100, a latch member 70, and a compression spring 80.

Referring to FIGS. 3-5, the supporting mechanism 100 includes a mounting member 20 attached to the door 11, a mounting post 30 secured to the mounting member 20, an actuating member 40 installed on the supporting post 30, a supporting post 50 rotatably secured to the mounting post 30, a supporting wheel 60 secured to the supporting post 50. In one embodiment, the actuating member 40 is a torsion spring.

The door 11 includes a cover plate 111 and a flange 113 located on the cover plate 111. The flange 113 is substantially parallel to the cover plate 111. A sliding slot 1131 is defined in the flange 113. The sliding slot 1131 is substantially arc-shaped. A first installation hole 1133 is defined in the flange 113 adjacent to the sliding slot 1131. An installation block 115 is located on an inner side of the flange 113. The installation block 115 includes a first installation piece 1151 and a second installation piece 1153 located on the first installation piece 1151. The second installation piece 1153 is substantially parallel to the flange 113 and perpendicular to the first installation piece 1151. A second installation hole 1155 is defined in the second installation piece 1153, corresponding to the first installation hole 1133.

The mounting member 20 includes a mounting board 21 and a mounting block 23 located on the mounting board 21. The mounting board 21 is capable of being secured to the cover plate 111 by welding or other mounting means. The mounting block 23 defines a receiving slot 231 and two mounting holes 233 communication with the receiving slot 231. The receiving slot 231 is configured to receive the mounting post 30.

The mounting post 30 includes a main body 31, an insertion portion 33, and two clamping portions 35. The insertion portion 33 extends from a top portion of the main body 33. An insertion hole 331 is defined in the insertion portion 33, corresponding to the two mounting holes 233. A cavity 311 is defined in a bottom portion of the main body 31. In one embodiment, the main body 31 is substantially columnar. The two clamping portions 35 extend downwards from the bottom portion of the main body 31. A first clamping hole 351 and a second clamping hole 353 are defined in the two clamping portions 35. The two first clamping holes 351 are aligned with each other, and the two second clamping holes 353 are aligned with each other.

The actuating member 40 includes a resilient portion 41, an inserting shaft 43, and a hook 45. The inserting shaft 43 extends from a first end of the resilient portion 41, and the hook 45 extends from a second end opposite to the first end of the resilient portion 43. The inserting shaft 43 is capable of being inserted into the cavity 311.

The supporting post 50 includes a connecting portion 51, a pivot portion 53, and two clipping portions 55. The pivot portion 53 is located on a top portion of the connecting portion 51. A pivot hole 531 is defined in the pivot portion 53, corresponding to the two second clamping holes 353. A latch pole 533 is located on a top portion of the pivot portion 531, configured to engage with the hook 45. An operating shaft 511 protrudes from an outer surface of the connecting portion 51, adjacent to the pivot portion 53. An engaging portion 513 is positioned on the outer surface of the connecting portion 51 adjacent to the operating shaft 511. The two clipping portions 53 extend from a bottom portion of the connecting portion 51. A clipping hole 551 is defined in the two clipping portions 55, for securing the supporting wheel 60.

The supporting wheel 60 defines a through hole 61 corresponding to the clipping hole 351 of the two clipping portions 53.

Referring to FIG. 2, the latch member 70 includes a sliding pole 71 and a blocking shaft 73. The sliding pole 71 is elongated. A blocking shaft 73 is located and adjacent to a first end of the sliding pole 71. A limiting hole 711 is defined and adjacent to a second end opposite to the first end of the sliding pole 71.

Referring to FIGS. 4-7, in assembly of the supporting wheel 60 to the supporting post 50, the supporting wheel 60 is placed between the two clipping portions 55 of the supporting post 50, and the through hole 61 of the supporting wheel 60 is aligned with the two clipping holes 551. A fastener 91 is screwed into the two clipping holes 551 and the through hole 61, to fix the supporting wheel 60 to the supporting post 50.

In assembly of the actuating member 40 to the mounting post 30, the mounting board 21 of the mounting member 20 is welded on the cover plate 11. The insertion portion 33 is inserted into the receiving slot 231. The insertion hole 331 is aligned with the two mounting holes 233, and a fastener 95, such as screw, is screwed into the two mounting holes 233 and the insertion hole 331, to secure the mounting post 30 to the mounting member 20. The inserting shaft 43 of the actuating member 40 is inserted into the cavity 311 of the mounting post 30, and the resilient portion 41 is engaged between the two clamping portions 35 and aligned with the first clamping hole 351 of the two clamping portions 35. A fastener 93 is locked into the two first clamping holes 351 and the resilient portion 41, to secure the actuating member 40 to the mounting post 30.

The assembly of supporting post 50 and the supporting wheel 60 are disposed on an inner side of the flange 113. The operating shaft 551 is inserted into the sliding slot 1131 to expose on the flange 113. The pivot portion 53 is located between the two clamping portions 35. The two second clamping holes 353 are aligned with the pivot hole 531 respectively, and a fastener 94 is located into the two second clamping holes 353 and the pivot hole 531. The hook 45 of the actuating member 40 is engaged with the latch pole 533. Thus, the supporting post 50 is rotatably secured to the mounting post 30. A part of the supporting post 50 is configured to be exposed from the door 11.

The compression spring 80 is fixed around the sliding pole 71 of the latch member 70. A first end of the compression spring 80 is engaged in the limiting hole 711, and a second end, opposite to the first end of the compression spring 80, abuts the blocking shaft 73. In assembly of the compression spring 80 and the latch member 70 to the door 11, the first end of the sliding pole 71 of the latch member 70 is engaged in the first installation hole 1133, and a part of the sliding pole 71 is extended out of the flange 113. The second end of the sliding pole 71 is inserted into the second installation hole 1155 when the second installation piece 1153 is pulled towards the cover plate 111, and a part of the sliding pole 71 is exposed on the second installation piece 1153. The blocking shaft 73 is located between the flange 113 and the compression spring 80, for preventing the sliding pole 71 from disengaging from the second installation piece 1155. The compression spring 80 is located between the blocking shaft 73 and the second installation piece 1155, for preventing the sliding pole 71 from disengaging from the flange 113.

Referring to FIGS. 8 and 9, when the door 11 is needed to be closed, the supporting post 50 is rotated relative to the mounting post 30, and the actuating member 40 is elastically deformed. Simultaneously, a cabinet 13 of the vending machine 10 pushes the sliding pole 71 of the latch member 70 to move towards the cover plate 113, and the compression spring 80 is resiliently deformed, until the engaging portion 513 of the supporting post 50 is engaged with the sliding pole 71. Thus, the supporting post 50 is in a receiving position, the latch member 70 is in a first position, and the supporting wheel 60 is putted on the door 11. The door 11 covers the vending machines 10.

Referring to FIG. 7, when open the door 11, the sliding pole 71 is separated with the flange 113. The compression spring 80 resiliently rebound to move the sliding pole 71 far from the cover plate 111, until the sliding pole 71 is disengaged from the engaging portion 513. The actuating member 40 elastically rebounds to inversely rotate the supporting post 50 relative to the mounting post 30. Thus, the supporting post 50 is in a supporting position, the latch member 70 is in a second position, and the supporting wheel 60 is configured to support the door 11.

It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages have been set forth in the foregoing description of embodiments, together with details of the structures and functions of the embodiments, the disclosure is illustrative only and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the disclosure to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A supporting apparatus comprising: a mounting member; a mounting post secured to the mounting member; an actuating member secured to the mounting post; a supporting post rotatably secured to the mounting post and engaged with the actuating member; and a latch member; wherein the supporting post is rotatable relative to the mounting post between a receiving position and a supporting position; when the supporting post is located in the receiving position, the supporting post is engaged with the latch member; when the supporting post is located in the supporting position, the supporting post is disengaged from the latch member; and the actuating member is resiliently deformed when the supporting post is located in the receiving position and biases the supporting post to rotate from the receiving position to the supporting position when rebounds.
 2. The supporting apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a supporting wheel, wherein the supporting post comprises two clipping portions, and the supporting wheel is rotatably secured between the two clipping portions.
 3. The supporting apparatus of claim 2, wherein the two clipping portions are substantially parallel to each other.
 4. The supporting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supporting post comprises a pivot portion, the mounting post comprises two clamping portions, and the pivot portion is rotatably secured to the two clamping portions.
 5. The supporting apparatus of claim 4, wherein the two clamping portions are substantially parallel to each other.
 6. The supporting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supporting post comprises a latch pole, the mounting post comprises a main body with a cavity, the actuating member comprises an insertion shaft and a hook; the insertion shaft is engaged in the cavity, and the hook is engaged with the latch pole.
 7. The supporting apparatus of claim 6, wherein an insertion portion is located on the main body, the mounting member defines a receiving slot, and the insertion portion is received in the receiving slot.
 8. The supporting apparatus of claim 1, wherein the supporting post further comprises a connecting portion, an engaging portion is located on the connecting portion, the latch member comprises a sliding pole; when the supporting post is in the receiving position, the engaging portion is engaged with the sliding pole; when the supporting post is in the supporting position, and the engaging portion is disengaged from the sliding pole.
 9. The supporting apparatus of claim 8, further comprises a compression spring fixed around the sliding pole, wherein the latch member is movable between a first position and a second position; when the latch member is in the first position, the engaging portion is engaged with the sliding pole, when the latch member is in the second position, the sliding pole is disengaged from the engaging portion; and the compression spring biases the latch member from the first position to the second position.
 10. The supporting apparatus of claim 9, wherein the latch member further comprises a blocking shaft located on the sliding pole, the sliding pole defines a limiting hole, a first end of the compression spring is engaged in the limiting hole, and a second end opposite to the first end abuts the blocking shaft.
 11. A supporting apparatus comprising: a mounting member, the mounting member comprising a mounting block; a mounting post secured to the mounting block; an actuating member secured to the mounting post; a supporting post rotatably secured to the mounting post and engaged with the actuating member; and a latch member; wherein the supporting post is rotatable relative to the mounting post between a receiving position and a supporting position; when the supporting post is located on the receiving position, the supporting post is engaged with the latch member; when the supporting post is located on the supporting position, the supporting post is disengaged from the latch member; and the actuating member is resiliently deformed when the supporting post is located in the receiving position and biases the supporting post to rotate from the receiving position to the supporting position when rebounds.
 12. The supporting apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a supporting wheel, wherein the supporting post comprises two clipping portions, and the supporting wheel is rotatably secured between the two clipping portions.
 13. The supporting apparatus of claim 12, wherein the two clipping portions are substantially parallel to each other.
 14. The supporting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the supporting post comprises a pivot portion, the mounting post comprises two clamping portions, and the pivot portion is rotatably secured to the two clamping portions.
 15. The supporting apparatus of claim 14, wherein the two clamping portions are substantially parallel to each other.
 16. The supporting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the supporting post comprises a latch pole, the mounting post comprises a main body with a cavity, the actuating member comprises an insertion shaft and a hook; the insertion shaft is engaged in the cavity, and the hook is engaged with the latch pole.
 17. The supporting apparatus of claim 16, wherein an insertion portion is located on the main body, the mounting member defines a receiving slot, and the insertion portion is received in the receiving slot.
 18. The supporting apparatus of claim 11, wherein the supporting post further comprises a connecting portion, an engaging portion is located on the connecting portion, the latch member comprises a sliding pole; when the supporting post is in the receiving position, the engaging portion is engaged with the sliding pole; when the supporting post is in the supporting position, and the engaging portion is disengaged from the sliding pole.
 19. The supporting apparatus of claim 18, further comprises a compression spring fixed around the sliding pole, wherein the latch member is movable between a first position and a second position; when the latch member is in the first position, the engaging portion is engaged with the sliding pole, when the latch member is in the second position, the sliding pole is disengaged from the engaging portion; and the compression spring biases the latch member from the first position to the second position.
 20. The supporting apparatus of claim 19, wherein the latch member further comprises a blocking shaft located on the sliding pole, the sliding pole defines a limiting hole, a first end of the compression spring is engaged in the limiting hole, and a second end opposite to the first end abuts the blocking shaft. 